Compulsive Gambling

Definition

Compulsive gambling or pathological gambling falls in the area of impulse control disorders. It is characterized by an inability to resist impulses to gamble, leading to severe personal or social consequences.

Pathological gambling affects 1-3% of adults, men more often than women. It usually begins in adolescence in men and later in women.

This behavior usually progresses from occasional to habitual gambling. The urge to gamble becomes so great that the tension can only be relieved by more gambling. Higher stakes and personal risks become involved, as well as neglect of other interests, family, and work. Severe family problems, financial ruin, and criminal behavior to support the habit may result. The cause for this behavior is unknown.

Gambling addiction is a significant problem in the United States impacting adults of all ages and their families. Until recently legal casino and sports betting were limited to two states. The traditional game of chance for seniors is bingo, a pastime that serves as a recreational event in many communities. The growth of riverboat and Indian casinos, state and national lotteries, and Internet access to off-shore sports and parlor betting, has dramatically increased access for all adults including seniors. Older adults are, perhaps, more vulnerable than other age groups given their greater dependence on fixed incomes and more limited ability to recover from gambling losses.

Symptoms

Signs of Problem Gambling:

• Increasing the frequency and the amount of money gambled
  
• Spending an excessive amount of time gambling at the expense of job or family time
  
• Being preoccupied with gambling or with obtaining money with which to gamble
  
• Gambling creates a special and intense pleasure, an aroused sense of being "in action"
  
• Continuing to gamble despite negative consequences such as large losses, or work or family problems caused by gambling
  
• Borrowing money to gamble, taking out secret loans, or maximizing credit card
  
• Bragging about wins but not talking about losses
  
• Frequent mood swings, higher when winning, lower when losing
  
• Gambling for longer periods of time or more money than originally planned
  
• Secretive behavior such as hiding betting slips or receipts; having mail, bills, etc., sent to work, a P.O. box or other address
  

Gambling is a common behavior that is not considered a disorder until the symptoms listed above are exhibited. When tracing the development of Pathological Gambling similarities to the development of Substance Dependence are apparent. Initially, many gamblers report feeling high and success leads to increased gambling which in turn might result in an overly large amount that exceeds the gambler's resources; and this leads to overconfidence and risk-taking behavior (Morrison, 1995).